Homeless Man Beaten by Lee County Cop Gets $400,000 Settlement

While many law enforcement officers carry out their duties lawfully, incidents involving excessive force continue to occur. A recent incident involving a homeless man shows that if officers violate your constitutional rights, you can have your charges dropped. In this particular case, the victim also received a considerable settlement from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. What if you believe your rights were violated during an arrest? Could a defense attorney help you pursue justice?

Charges Dropped After 2023 Incident Involving Excessive Force 

In May of 2025, WINK News reported that a homeless man had received a $400,000 settlement after an incident involving excessive force. Although this individual was initially arrested for trespassing and other minor offenses, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office eventually dropped all charges against him.

The incident in question began when the defendant approached two police officers while intoxicated. The pair was engaged in a traffic stop at 2:00 AM when the man approached and challenged them to a fight. According to the officers, the defendants wanted the officers to take off their vests and gun belts before fighting him in the middle of the street.

The officers asked the man to leave, and he refused. One officer then went into a nearby store and asked the owner if he wanted them to remove the homeless man. When the store owner said yes, the officer returned and confronted the homeless man again.

A gas station’s surveillance camera captured the subsequent violence. The officer said that when he attempted to grab the defendant’s hand, he pulled it away suddenly. Concerned that the man was winding up for a punch, the officer decided to quickly strike the man before he had a chance.

Next, the officer slams the homeless man to the ground and continues to strike him repeatedly. During this altercation, the officer claims that he instructed the homeless man to allow himself to be restrained. Finally, the officer managed to grab the man’s hands and put him in a police car.

The officer who carried out the arrest was eventually fired by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It is important to remember that despite paying the $400,000 and firing the officer involved, the Sheriff’s Office still denies any liability in connection with the incident. A criminal case against the officer is still ongoing, however.

Can a Lee County Defense Attorney Help After an Unlawful Arrest? 

If you believe law enforcement officers violated your rights during an arrest, speak with a Fort Myers and Naples criminal defense lawyer. These legal professionals can help you seek justice for incidents involving excessive force and other constitutional violations. As the recent incident in Lee County illustrates, officers often face consequences for these violations. Learn more by contacting The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today.

Sources: 

winknews.com/wink_investigations/homeless-lee-county-man-gets-400k-settlement-in-lee-sheriff-misconduct-case/article_0256ceeb-81c8-4169-8600-c646813a5f31.html

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0776/Sections/0776.05.html